Effect of epidural dexmedetomidine in single-dose combined with ropivacaine for cesarean section

Dexmedetomidine has arousal sedation and analgesic effects. We hypothesize that epidural dexmedetomidine in single-dose combined with ropivacaine improves the experience of parturient undergoing cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. This study is to investigate the effect of 0.5 µg/kg epidural dexmedetomidine combined with epidural anesthesia (EA) in parturients undergoing cesarean section.

A total of 92 parturients were randomly divided into Group R (receiveing epidural ropivacaine alone) Group RD (receiveing epidural ropivacaine with 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine). The primary outcome and second outcome will be intraoperative NRS pain scores and Ramsay Sedation Scale.

All 92 parturients were included in the analysis. The NRS were significantly lower in Group RD compared to Group R at all observation timepoint (P > 0.05). Higher Ramsay Sedation Scale was found in Group RD compared to Group R (P < 0.001). No parturient has experienced sedation score of 4 and above. No significant difference regarding the incidence of hypotension, bradycardia and nausea or vomiting, Apgar scores and the overall satisfaction with anesthesia was found between Group R and Group RD (P > 0.05).

Epidural dexmedetomidine of 0.5 µg/kg added slightly extra analgesic effect to ropivacaine in EA for cesarean section. The sedation of 0.5 µg/kg epidural dexmedetomidine did not cause mother-baby bonding deficit. Satisfaction with anesthesia wasn't significantly improved by epidural dexmedetomidine of 0.5 µg/kg. No additional side effect allows larger dose of epidural dexmedetomidine attempt.

This study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000038853).